Minimal and preferential option user interface

ABSTRACT

A request to display a portion of a full-screen content overlay options menu of a multiple media player device is detected by the multiple media player device that represents less than all of the full-screen content overlay options menu. A media type of content media currently accessed by the multiple media player device is determined. A current setting status of an available adjustment of the multiple media player device associated with the portion of the full-screen content overlay options menu based upon the determined media type of content media currently accessed by the multiple media player device is determined. A first graphical menu pane of the full-screen content overlay options menu, including the current setting status of the available adjustment, is displayed over full-screen content on a display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/877,454, filed Sep. 8, 2010. This application also isrelated to filed U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 12/877,444entitled “DYNAMIC ICONIC SETTING INDICATOR,” and U.S. design patentapplication Ser. No. 29/369,421 entitled “PROGRESSIVE PLAYER OPTIONSMENU,” each of which is incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARK NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction of the patent document or thepatent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

BACKGROUND

User interfaces for televisions and other user interface devices havehierarchical menu structures. User interface windows are sometimesnested within such a hierarchical menu structure. User interface windowsare populated with words and/or icons that describe the associatedinformation. A user of such a user interface may navigate to submenuswithin the user interface to determine settings. The user furthernavigates to another hierarchical level within the user interfacehierarchical structure to change the settings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain illustrative embodiments illustrating organization and method ofoperation, together with objects and advantages may be best understoodby reference detailed description that follows taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a system including a media playerdevice that provides automated dynamic iconic setting indicators and anautomated minimal and preferential option user interface for atelevision device consistent with certain embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example core processing module thatprovides automated dynamic iconic setting indicators and an automatedminimal and preferential option user interface consistent with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of an implementation of aminimal and preferential option user interface for display of dynamiciconic setting indicators consistent with certain embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a first example progression of an exampleof an implementation of the minimal and preferential option userinterface of FIG. 3, including a control pane for adjustment of anoption, consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a second example progression of an exampleof an implementation of the minimal and preferential option userinterface of FIG. 4, including additional dynamic iconic settingindicators for additional adjustable options displayed in response touser input consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a third example progression of an exampleof an implementation of the minimal and preferential option userinterface of FIG. 5 that has been vertically modulo scrolled (e.g.,rotated) in response to detection of user input consistent with certainembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a processthat provides automated dynamic iconic setting indicators consistentwith certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a processthat provides an automated minimal and preferential option userinterface consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9A is a flow chart of an example of initial processing of animplementation of process for automated dynamic iconic settingindicators consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is a flow chart of an example of additional processing of animplementation of process for automated dynamic iconic settingindicators consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a processthat provides an automated minimal and preferential option userinterface consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a processthat provides automated preferential input sequence learning consistentwith certain embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the presentdisclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of theprinciples and not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments shown and described. In the description below, likereference numerals are used to describe the same, similar orcorresponding parts in the several views of the drawings.

The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or morethan two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least asecond or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein,are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” asused herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly,and not necessarily mechanically. The term “program” or “computerprogram” or similar terms, as used herein, is defined as a sequence ofinstructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,”or “computer program,” may include a subroutine, a function, aprocedure, an object method, an object implementation, in an executableapplication, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, ashared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence ofinstructions designed for execution on a computer system having one ormore processors.

The term “program,” as used herein, may also be used in a second context(the above definition being for the first context). In the secondcontext, the term is used in the sense of a “television program.” Inthis context, the term is used to mean any coherent sequence of audiovideo content such as those which would be interpreted as and reportedin an electronic program guide (EPG) as a single television program,without regard for whether the content is a movie, sporting event,segment of a multi-part series, news broadcast, etc. The term may alsobe interpreted to encompass commercial spots and other program-likecontent which may not be reported as a program in an electronic programguide.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment,” “certainembodiments,” “an embodiment,” “an implementation,” “an example” orsimilar terms means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the example is included inat least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearancesof such phrases or in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or” as used herein is to be interpreted as an inclusive ormeaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B or C” means “any ofthe following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C.” Anexception to this definition will occur only when a combination ofelements, functions, steps or acts are in some way inherently mutuallyexclusive.

The present subject matter provides an automated dynamic iconic settingindicator. The automated dynamic iconic setting indicator provides readyaccess to setting status information without requiring a user of a userinterface of a television or other visual output device to navigatethrough a hierarchy of menus to access the setting status information.The automated dynamic iconic setting indicator further reduces displayscreen area requirements. Icons are used to present the setting status.The setting status icons are updated in real time in response to changesto the associated settings. The setting status icons are paired withoption icons to further reduce screen area requirements, whilepreserving information availability with a reduced display screenfootprint. The paired option icons and setting status icons aredisplayed within translucent graphical menu panes as a graphical overlayover full-screen content to further reduce content renderinginterruption.

The present subject matter also provides an automated minimal andpreferential option user interface. A user of a user interface of atelevision or other visual output device is provided with a number ofdifferent ways of accessing options with reduced display screen areaimpact. A non-hierarchical options menu is provided that works withavailable remote control device keys without requiring specific ornumerous keys to access and navigate the non-hierarchical options menu.Available options of the options menu are determined dynamically basedupon a media type currently accessed by a multiple media player device,as described in more detail below. For purposes of the presentdescription, a multiple media player device may include any devicecapable of accessing and rendering/playing multiple different mediatypes (e.g., still photographs, audio and video content, etc.).

Certain remote control devices may have direct access keys, whilecertain remote control devices may utilize directional keys (e.g., UParrow, DOWN arrow, LEFT arrow, and RIGHT arrow keys) to initiate displayof the options menu, to navigate to options, and to select options formodification without requiring a remote control with a high number ofdedicated input keys and without requiring navigation through amulti-level hierarchical menu structure. With the automated minimal andpreferential option user interface, a user may directly access a settingrather than going through a menu to find the setting. The options menulearns user input patterns and gives preferential treatment to apreferred usage method the user adopts. For touchscreen displayimplementations, user screen contact in areas relative to a displaylocation for the options menu, or portions thereof, may be detected andutilized to access and navigate additional portions of the options menu,to access and change adjustable options associated with thecurrently-accessed media type, and to navigate the non-hierarchicaloptions menu.

The non-hierarchical options menu may be displayed as a full-screencontent overlay options menu while reducing intrusion upon that renderedcontent. For example, the non-hierarchical options menu may be displayedalong a border and/or corner of an output display (e.g., lower leftcorner), and may further be translucent to allow content to be displayedthrough the setting options menu panes.

Further, if a setting was previously accessed or adjusted, that settingmay be changed to the default setting for display during a next menudisplay event. The menu option panels/windows (based upon the type ofmedia content as described in more detail below) may be progressivelypresented to the user in response to a variety of detected input keys orkey combinations. For example, in response to detection of a request todisplay a portion of a full-screen content overlay options menu of themedia player device, such as detection of an UP arrow key or a LEFTarrow key, the configured default setting graphical menu may bedisplayed without display of additional options. Alternatively, a firstkey press of a dedicated input key may cause display of a firstgraphical menu pane associated with the dedicated input key includingthe current setting status of an available adjustment over full-screencontent on a display. The first graphical menu pane may include asetting status icon paired with an option icon, as described above.Accordingly, in response to detection of a request to display a portionof a full-screen content overlay options menu of the media playerdevice, the configured default setting graphical menu or a dedicatedgraphical menu pane may be displayed without display of additionaloptions.

During subsequently detected key inputs, additional graphical menu panes(e.g., translucent graphical menu panes) may be displayed. For example,a second input key (e.g., a LEFT arrow key) may cause a first controlpane that includes an adjustment control for the associated currentsetting status to be displayed to a side of the first graphical menupane that includes the option icon and current setting status pair.Alternatively, the first graphical menu pane and the first control panemay be displayed coincident to detection of a single initial key input,such as a general input key or a dedicated input key.

Detection of an additional input key (e.g., an additional LEFT arrow keyor RIGHT arrow key) may cause an adjustment of the associated currentsetting status, such as rewinding of content in response to detection ofa LEFT arrow key input when the first graphical menu pane is associatedwith content rendering position. Detection of an additional input key(e.g., an UP arrow key or a DOWN arrow key) may cause additional menupanes associated with the status of other current settings associatedwith the currently-accessed media type to be displayed. Detection of anadditional input key (e.g., an UP arrow key or a DOWN arrow key) maycause the displayed menu panes to scroll vertically (or horizontally asappropriate for a given implementation), and a new control pane thatdisplays an option icon and current setting status pair of therespective setting may be displayed to a side of the menu pane that isthe new bottom menu pane (or top, per the given implementation).

The progressive display of options, from a display of a single optionsetting menu pane with a single icon pair to change a single setting ifonly one setting is requested, through the display of additional optionsin response to additional non-hierarchical navigation inputs, furtherreduces the display area requirements of the non-hierarchical optionsmenu. These features allow for reduced intrusion and interruption of therendered full-screen content while overlaying the information requestedby a user.

The non-hierarchical options menu may further be dynamically populatedbased upon a media type of content media currently accessed via themedia player device. For example, where the accessed content is acollection of photographs, video content adjustment options, such ascontrast, brightness, and other video options may be dynamically madeavailable for adjustment. Alternatively, where the accessed content isaudio and video content, audio adjustment options may also be madeavailable, such as volume, tone, and balance. Accordingly, anon-hierarchical options menu may further be dynamically populated basedupon a media type of content media currently accessed via the mediaplayer device.

Display of the additional graphical menu panes in response to detectionof additional user input(s) may be arranged, for example, as a stackedcolumn of translucent graphical menu panes. The stacked column may bescrolled vertically in a modulo manner in response to additionaldetected key inputs. For purposes of the present description, the term“modulo” scrolling refers to scrolling multiple user interface elements,in this case the example stacked column of translucent graphical menupanes, by displaying one of the multiple user interface elements in aninteractive display location on a display surface (e.g., at a bottom ofthe stack) and scrolling each user interface elements to thatinteractive display location in response to one or more detected userinputs. Where the interactive display location is located at the bottomof a display screen, a previously displayed user interface element maysequentially move to a top of the stack, or to a location within thestack immediately above the interactive display location, depending uponthe user input scrolling direction (e.g., up or down, respectively).Alternatively, where the interactive location is located at the top of adisplay screen, a previously displayed user interface element maysequentially move to a bottom of the stack, or to a location within thestack immediately below the interactive display location, depending uponthe user input scrolling direction (e.g., down or up, respectively). Assuch, the stacked column may be modulo scrolled repeatedly andinteractively through each graphical menu pane. Any user interfaceelement at the interactive display location may be interacted with bythe user and in response to detection of additional user inputs. Withinthe present example, only a bottom graphical menu pane in the stack mayhave a control pane displayed in association with it. As such, thenon-hierarchical options menu may form a right angle along a bottom ortop corner of a display screen and may be modulo scrolled relative tothe display location of the bottom graphical menu pane, as describedabove and in more detail below.

Further, auto-scrolling capabilities provide for automated moduloscrolling and automated adjustment of adjustable options in response tocertain detected key inputs. For example, a LEFT arrow key may beassigned (e.g., as a configuration option or over time, for example, inresponse to detected user inputs) as a default key for rewindingaudio/video content and/or a RIGHT arrow key may be assigned as adefault key for fast forwarding audio/video content. Within thisexample, if a previous access to the non-hierarchical options menuresulted in adjustment of a video setting via a displayed video settinggraphical menu pane, then detection of an UP arrow key or a DOWN arrowkey may re-open the non-hierarchical options menu to the video settinggraphical menu pane. However, detection of a LEFT arrow key or a RIGHTarrow key may cause the multiple media player device to automaticallyscroll the non-hierarchical options menu to a graphical menu paneassociated with content rendering position adjustable option. If thedetected key was a LEFT arrow key, the multiple media player device maybegin to automatically rewind the content. Additionally, if the detectedkey was a RIGHT arrow key, the multiple media player device may begin toautomatically fast forward the content. Therefore, by using a single keyinput associated with a portion of the full-screen content overlayoptions menu of the multiple media player device relating to a rewind(or other function), the associated portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu immediately appears without going through asequence of keystrokes. Many other variations on automated scrolling andadjustable option adjustment are possible and all are considered withinthe scope of the present subject matter.

Based upon the description herein, the progressively renderednon-hierarchical options menu may be displayed with increasingquantities of information and settings options in response to sequencesof detected input selections. Accordingly, the progressively renderednon-hierarchical options menu reduces screen clutter and allows a userto specifically request access to additional setting options. It isfurther understood that while the examples described herein representthe non-hierarchical options menu as a vertically stacked progressivelyrendered collection of translucent graphical menu panes, othervariations are possible (e.g., a horizontal array of translucentgraphical menu panes) and all such variations are considered within thescope of the present subject matter.

Turning now to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example of a system 100including a media player device 102 that provides automated dynamiciconic setting indicators and an automated minimal and preferentialoption user interface for a television 104. While the present exampleillustrates the media player device 102 and the television 104 asseparate components, the respective devices may be combined, as in theexample of FIG. 2 below, without departure from the scope of the presentsubject matter. As such, a system, such as the system 100, may form aportion of a handheld consumer electronics device or other devicewithout departure from the scope of the present subject matter.

A display 106 provides visual and/or other information to a user of thetelevision 104. As can be seen from FIG. 1, a full-screen display image108 is shown on the display 106. As will be described in more detailbelow, the present subject matter provides the automated dynamic iconicsetting indicators and the automated minimal and preferential optionuser interface as a translucent overlay on top of the full-screencontent to reduce interference and interruption of the renderedfull-screen display image 108.

The display 106 may include any type of display device, such as acathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), light emittingdiode (LED), projection or other display element or panel. The display106 may also include a touchscreen display, such as a touchscreendisplay associated with a handheld consumer electronics device thatincludes the media player 102 and a touchscreen input device.

An infrared input device 110 provides input capabilities for the user ofthe television 104 via a device, such as an infrared remote controldevice 112. For purposes of the present subject matter, it is understoodthat dedicated input keys on the remote control device 112 for accessingoptions and option settings are not required. However, dedicated inputkeys may be provided as appropriate for a given implementation.

An audio output device 114 provides audio output capabilities for thetelevision 104, such as audio associated with rendered content. Theaudio output device 114 may include a pair of speakers, drivercircuitry, and interface circuitry as appropriate for a givenimplementation.

A light emitting diode (LED) output module 116 provides one or moreoutput LEDs and associated driver circuitry for signaling certain eventsor acknowledgements to a user of the television 104. Many possibilitiesexist for communicating information to a user via LED signaling and allare considered within the scope of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example core processing module 200 thatprovides automated dynamic iconic setting indicators and an automatedminimal and preferential option user interface. As described above, thepresent subject matter may be performed via a device, such as the mediaplayer device 102, or the media player device 102 combined with adisplay device, such as the television 104. For purposes of the presentexample, the functionality of the media player device 102 and thetelevision 104 are combined into the core processing module 200, such asa combined core module of a handheld consumer electronics device.

A processor 202 provides computer instruction execution, computation,and other capabilities within the core processing module 200. Theinfrared input device 110 is shown and again provides input capabilitiesfor the user of the television 104 via a device, such as the infraredremote control device 112 (See FIG. 1).

The audio output device 114 is illustrated and again provides audiooutput capabilities for the core processing module 200. The audio outputdevice 114 may include one or more speakers, driver circuitry, andinterface circuitry as appropriate for a given implementation.

A tuner/decoder module 204 receives television (e.g., audio/video)content and decodes that content for display via the display 106. Thecontent may include content formatted either via any of the motionpicture expert group (MPEG) standards, or content formatted in any othersuitable format for reception by the tuner/decoder module 204. Thetuner/decoder module 204 may include additional controller circuitry inthe form of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), antennas,processors, and/or discrete integrated circuits and components forperforming electrical control activities associated with thetuner/decoder module 204 for tuning to and decoding content receivedeither via wireless or wired connections to the core processing module200.

A communication module 206 may alternatively provide communicationcapabilities for the core processing module 200, such as for retrievalof still image content, audio and video content, or other content via asatellite, cable, storage media, the Internet, or other contentprovider, and other activities as appropriate for a givenimplementation. The communication module 206 may support wired orwireless standards as appropriate for a given implementation. Examplewired standards include Internet video link (IVL) interconnection withina home network, for example, such as Sony Corporation's Bravia® InternetVideo Link (BIVL™) Example wireless standards include cellular wirelesscommunication and Bluetooth® wireless communication standards. Manyother wired and wireless communication standards are possible and allare considered within the scope of the present subject matter.

A memory 208 includes a media types and setting options storage area210. The media types and setting options storage area 210 may storeinformation, such as available media types for rendering via the coreprocessing module 200 and setting options associated with availablemedia types associated with the present subject matter. Available mediatypes may be updated periodically along with the associated settingoptions, such as via the communication module 206.

A setting status storage area 212 may store information, such as currentsettings for a currently accessed media type rendered via the coreprocessing module 200. An option icons storage area 214 may storeinformation, such as graphical icons for available setting optionsassociated with available media types that may be rendered via the coreprocessing module 200. A setting status icons storage area 216 may storeinformation, such as graphical icons for available setting statusconfigurations associated with available media types that may berendered via the core processing module 200.

As described above and in more detail below, option icons and settingstatus icons may be paired and displayed in association with currentlyrendered content to provide detailed setting information with reducedscreen area impact. As such, an option icon and setting status iconpairs storage area 218 may store information, such as paired option andsetting status graphical icons for available setting options associatedwith available media types that may be rendered via the core processingmodule 200.

A menu panes storage area 220 may store information, such as translucentgraphical menu panes and graphical control panes for use in associationwith icon pair display and adjustment controls display, respectively,associated with available media types that may be rendered via the coreprocessing module 200. An assembled menu storage area 222 may storeinformation, such as translucent graphical menu panes and graphicalcontrol panes associated with a current state of progressive display ofa progressively rendered non-hierarchical options menu, as describedabove an in more detail below.

A display coordinates storage area 224 may store information, such asdisplay coordinates for each menu pane or control pane associated with acurrent state of progressive display of a progressively renderednon-hierarchical options menu. As described above an in more detailbelow, graphical menu panes may be progressively created and populatedin response to detected user inputs. Further, displayed menu panes maybe modulo scrolled, either vertically or horizontally, as appropriatefor a given implementation. As such, the display coordinates storagearea 224 may store coordinate information for currently-renderedgraphical menu and control panes.

It is understood that the memory 208 may include any combination ofvolatile and non-volatile memory suitable for the intended purpose,distributed or localized as appropriate, and may include other memorysegments not illustrated within the present example for ease ofillustration purposes. For example, the memory 208 may include a codestorage area, a code execution area, and a data area without departurefrom the scope of the present subject matter.

An overlay menu construction and processing module 226 is alsoillustrated. The overlay menu construction and processing module 226provides creation and processing capabilities for the core processingmodule 200, as described above and in more detail below. The overlaymenu construction and processing module 226 implements the automateddynamic iconic setting indicator and the automated minimal andpreferential option user interface of the core processing module 200. Itshould be noted, however, that though the core processing module 200 andthe overlay menu construction and processing module 226 are illustratedand described to provide both the automated dynamic iconic settingindicator and the automated minimal and preferential option userinterface, this should not be considered limiting. A givenimplementation of the present subject matter may include either theautomated dynamic iconic setting indicator or the automated minimal andpreferential option user interface, without a requirement forimplementation of both aspects of the present subject matter and withoutdeparture from the scope of the present subject matter.

It should be noted that the overlay menu construction and processingmodule 226, the tuner/decoder module 204, and the communication module206 are illustrated as a component-level modules for ease ofillustration and description purposes. It is also understood that eachof these modules may include any hardware, programmed processor(s), andmemory used to carry out the functions of the respective module. Forexample, each of the overlay menu construction and processing module226, the tuner/decoder module 204, and the communication module 206 mayinclude additional controller circuitry in the form of applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), processors, antenna(s), and/ordiscrete integrated circuits and components for performing electricalcontrol activities associated with the respective module. Additionally,the overlay menu construction and processing module 226, thetuner/decoder module 204, and the communication module 206 may includeinterrupt-level, stack-level, and application-level modules asappropriate. Furthermore, the overlay menu construction and processingmodule 226, the tuner/decoder module 204, and the communication module206 may include any memory components used for storage, execution, anddata processing by these modules for performing processing activitiesassociated with the respective module.

It should also be noted that the overlay menu construction andprocessing module 226 may form a portion of other circuitry describedwithout departure from the scope of the present subject matter. Further,the overlay menu construction and processing module 226 mayalternatively be implemented as an application stored within the memory208. In such an implementation, the overlay menu construction andprocessing module 226 may include instructions executed by the processor202 for performing the functionality described herein. The processor 202may execute these instructions to provide the processing capabilitiesdescribed above and in more detail below for the core processing module200. The overlay menu construction and processing module 226 may form aportion of an interrupt service routine (ISR), a portion of an operatingsystem, a portion of a browser application, or a portion of a separateapplication without departure from the scope of the present subjectmatter.

The processor 202, the infrared input device 110, the audio outputdevice 114, the tuner/decoder module 204, the communication module 206,the memory 208, and the overlay menu construction and processing module226 are interconnected via one or more interconnections shown asinterconnection 228 for ease of illustration. The interconnection 228may include a system bus, a network, or any other interconnectioncapable of providing the respective components with suitableinterconnection for the respective purpose.

FIG. 3 through FIG. 6 below illustrate an example display sequenceassociated with the automated dynamic iconic setting indicators and theautomated minimal and preferential option user interface as atranslucent overlay on top of the full-screen content. Many othervariations on the example display sequence are possible and all areconsidered within the scope of the present subject matter.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of an implementation of aminimal and preferential option user interface 300 for display ofdynamic iconic setting indicators. As described above, a media typepresently associated with the media player device 102 may be detected.For purposes of the present example, it is assumed that the media typedetected is audio and video content received via a live audio/videofeed. It is also assumed that a user of a remote control device, such asthe remote control device 112, entered, for example, an UP arrow key,associated with the remote control device. However, a dedicated key orother input key may also have been selected. In either situation, thecore processing module 200 detected the selection and recognized arequest to display a portion of a full-screen content overlay optionsmenu of the media player device 102.

In response to detecting the request, a graphical menu pane 302 thatincludes an option icon 304 that represents the adjustable option forthe media player device 102 is displayed. A current setting status 306represents the current setting status of television (e.g., “TV” withinthe present example). As such, within the present example, the mediaplayer device 102 is assumed to be accessing audio and video content viaa broadcast medium (e.g., satellite, cable, open air signaling, etc.)and a television channel. In other situations, the media player device102 may be accessing recorded digital video or streamed digital videoreceived via a home or wide area network (e.g., the Internet). Theoption icon 304 is represented, within the present example, as a grid tointuitively provide an indication to a user that selections/adjustmentsof a selected channel or input source are possible.

As can also be seen from FIG. 3, the graphical menu pane 302 istranslucent and a portion of the full-screen display image 108 can beseen through the graphical menu pane 302. The graphical menu pane 302 isalso shown displayed within a lower right corner of the display 106.However, any other display location may be used, such as an upper rightcorner, a lower left corner, or an upper left corner without departurefrom the scope of the present subject matter.

By translucent display of the graphical menu pane 302 and by displayingthe graphical menu pane 302 in a corner of the display 106, thegraphical menu pane 302 reduces obstruction of the full-screen displayimage 108. The user may further interact with the minimal andpreferential option user interface 300 to adjust a currently-selectedtelevision channel, input source, or to obtain more options, asdescribed in more detail below. In addition, the degree of translucencemay be a parameter that can be user controlled by a menu selection.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a first example progression of an exampleof an implementation of the minimal and preferential option userinterface 300 of FIG. 3, including a control pane 308 for adjustment ofan option. Within the present example, the option that may be adjustedin association with the graphical menu pane 302 includes achannel/change adjustment option. As such, the control pane 308 includesseveral graphical channel option panes 707, 708, 709, 710, and 711. Forpurposes of the present example, each of the graphical channel optionpanes 707-711 represents a television channel that may be selected. Eachof the graphical channel option panes 707-711 includes a channel logo(represented within FIG. 4 as a cross-hatched box without referencedesignators or actual broadcast station logos for ease of illustration).

An up arrow icon 310, a down arrow icon 312, a left arrow icon 314, anda right arrow icon 316 are also displayed in association with thecontrol pane 308. As such, the user is intuitively notified that use ofarrow keys associated with a remote control device, such as the remotecontrol device 112, provides additional navigation options for the userin association with the minimal and preferential option user interface300. For example, by use of either a RIGHT arrow key or a LEFT arrow keyof a remote control device, again such as the remote control device 112,a user may scroll through the graphical channel option panes 707-711. Itis further assumed for purposes of the present example that thegraphical channel option panes 707-711 represent all available channeloptions and fit on the display 106. For implementations with a smalldisplay, such as a handheld consumer electronics device, or where morechannel options are available, display area may be reduced by displayinga few graphical channel option panes and displaying an icon, such as theleft arrow icon 314, to a left side of the available channel options.Many other variations on the present example are possible and all areconsidered within the scope of the present subject matter.

Where additional channels are available, additional graphical channeloption panes may be presented and other of the graphical channel optionpanes 707-711 may be removed from the display 106 to reduce screenclutter and reduce obstruction of the full-screen display image 108. Aswith display of the graphical menu pane 302, the control pane 308 andthe graphical channel option panes 707-711 are translucent and thefull-screen display image 108 can be seen through the control pane 308and through the graphical channel option panes 709, 710, and 711 withinthe present example.

It should be noted that the present example illustrates the graphicalmenu pane 302 displayed in response to a first detected user input andthe control pane 308 displayed in response to a second detected userinput for purposes of description. However, it is understood that thegraphical menu pane 302 and the control pane 308 may be displayedconcurrently in response to a single detected user input, as appropriatefor a given implementation.

By use of either an UP arrow key or a DOWN arrow key of a remote controldevice, a user may indicate a request to view additional adjustableoptions, as described below beginning in association with FIG. 5.Accordingly, the minimal and preferential option user interface 300detects user requests to provide an increasing number of options andadjustments for the detected media type presently associated with themedia player device 102.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a second example progression of an exampleof an implementation of the minimal and preferential option userinterface 300 of FIG. 4, including additional dynamic iconic settingindicators for additional adjustable options displayed in response touser input. The full-screen display image 108 is not shown within FIG. 5to reduce drawing complexity, though the full-screen display image 108reference designator is retained for clarity.

Within the present example, it is assumed that a user selection ofeither an UP arrow key or a DOWN arrow key of a remote control devicewas detected. In response to detection that a remote control key inputrepresenting either an UP arrow key or a DOWN arrow key has beendepressed by a user, a stack of paired identified option icons and anassociated current setting status of each adjustable option is displayedproximate to a vertical edge of the display 106. It is further assumedfor purposes of the present example that dynamic iconic settingindicators for all available adjustable options fit on the display 106.For implementations with a small display, such as a handheld consumerelectronics device, display area may be reduced by displaying a fewdynamic iconic setting indicators and displaying an icon, such as the uparrow icon 310, above a partial stack of dynamic iconic settingindicators for available adjustable options. Many other variations onthe present example are possible and all are considered within the scopeof the present subject matter.

As described above, the choice of adjustable options is identified andselected for user adjustment via the minimal and preferential optionuser interface 300 based upon a media type that is detected to bepresently accessed by the media player device 102. As also describedabove, the display of paired option icons and current setting status foravailable adjustable options reduces screen area requirements fordisplay of options and provides real-time current setting status outputso that a user may quickly determine a current setting of a givenadjustable option for the currently-accessed media type. The currentsetting status may be changed, as described above, and a new currentsetting status may be displayed that dynamically changes in response touser adjustment of a given option. The current setting status of theavailable options may be displayed as a graphical output or text, asappropriate for a given implementation or option.

Within the present example, audio and video content includes certainrepresentative adjustment options. Each adjustment option is representedby a translucent graphical menu pane. Certain options may include binarysetting status options, such as enabled or disabled, on or off, etc. Afavorites graphical menu pane 318 includes a favorites option icon 320paired with a current favorites setting status 322. The currentfavorites setting status 322 may be displayed, for example, as a greencircle (illustrated within the present example as a cross-hatchedcircle). A closed-caption graphical menu pane 324 includes aclosed-caption option icon 326 paired with a current closed-captionsetting status 328. A ratings graphical menu pane 330 includes a ratingsoption icon 332 paired with a current ratings setting status 334. Thecurrent ratings setting status 334 shows that the current audio andvideo content represented by is rated a three and a half (e.g., 3.5) outof a scale of zero (0) to five (5) within the present example.

A screen width graphical menu pane 336 includes a screen width optionicon 338 paired with a current screen width setting status 340. Thecurrent screen width setting status 340 shows the user that the currentsetting status of the screen width adjustment is wide (e.g., W). Aresolution graphical menu pane 342 includes a resolution option icon 344paired with a current resolution setting status 346. The currentresolution setting status 346 shows that the current setting is vivid(e.g., V).

A volume graphical menu pane 348 includes a volume option icon 350paired with a current volume setting status 352. The current volumesetting status 352 shows that the volume is currently adjusted toforty-three percent (43%) of a maximum volume setting. A play pointgraphical menu pane 354 includes a play point option icon 356 pairedwith a current play point setting status 358. The current play pointsetting status 358 shows that the currently selected audio and videocontent is at a twenty-nine percent (29%) completion from a beginning ofthe content. Each of the volume setting status and the current playpoint setting status may be considered a proportional setting status forpurposes of the present description, including a numeral followed by apercent sign.

By use of either an UP arrow key or a DOWN arrow key of a remote controldevice, a user may indicate a request to scroll the displayed adjustmentoptions, as described below beginning in association with FIG. 6.Accordingly, the minimal and preferential option user interface 300detects user requests to navigate to additional displayed adjustmentoptions for the detected media type presently associated with the mediaplayer device 102.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a third example progression of an exampleof an implementation of the minimal and preferential option userinterface 300 of FIG. 5 that has been vertically modulo scrolled (e.g.,rotated) in response to detection of user input. For purposes of thepresent example, it is assumed that detection of either one DOWN arrowkey input or seven UP arrow key presses were detected. In response todetection of each respective input key, the minimal and preferentialoption user interface 300 is scrolled in a modulo manner (e.g., one timefor each input) to allow the user an opportunity to adjust eachavailable adjustable option. A control pane may be displayed to a side,within the present example to a left side, of each graphical menu paneas the minimal and preferential option user interface 300 is displayed.

A control pane 360 includes a play point control element 362 thatgraphically represents the current play point location. It is furtherassumed that in response to display of the play point graphical menupane 354 and the control pane 360, a user input of a LEFT arrow key wasdetected and that content rendering rewind was performed in response tothe detected input to a display location of twenty-one percent (21%). Itis additionally assumed that detection of the LEFT arrow key terminatedwhen the content rewind reached the twenty-one percent (21%) play point.It is noted that the current play point setting status 358 may beupdated in real time during rewind or fast forward operations to reflecteach incremental change to the current play point, ending at thetwenty-one percent (21%) within the present example.

Accordingly, the minimal and preferential option user interface 300reduces obstruction of the full-screen content by displaying an overlayuser interface menu as a stack of the paired identified option icons andthe associated current setting status of each adjustable optionproximate to a vertical edge of the display. It is noted that where aninitial graphical menu pane is displayed at another corner of a displaydevice, the stack of paired identified option icon and the associatedcurrent setting status may be displayed either horizontally orvertically in relation to the initial graphical menu pane displaylocation.

Further, where the display device is a touchscreen device, detection ofuser contact with a surface of certain portions of the display device,such as display locations proximate to the graphical elements describedabove, may cause the menu display and adjustments described above. Manyother variations on the menu organization and display options describedabove are possible and all are considered within the scope of thepresent subject matter.

FIG. 7 through FIG. 11 below describe example processes that may beexecuted by such devices, such as the media player device 102, toperform the automated dynamic iconic setting indicators and theautomated minimal and preferential option user interface associated withthe present subject matter. Many other variations on the exampleprocesses are possible and all are considered within the scope of thepresent subject matter. The example processes may be performed bymodules, such as the overlay menu construction and processing module 226and/or executed by the processor 202, associated with such devices. Itshould be noted that time out procedures and other error controlprocedures are not illustrated within the example processes describedbelow for ease of illustration purposes. However, it is understood thatall such procedures are considered to be within the scope of the presentsubject matter.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a process700 that provides automated dynamic iconic setting indicators. Theprocess 700 starts at 702. At block 704, the process 700 determines, viaa multiple media player device, a media type currently associated withthe multiple media player device. At block 706, the process 700determines a current setting status associated with each of a pluralityof adjustable options associated with the determined media type. Atblock 708, the process 700 identifies a plurality of option icons thateach represents one of the plurality of adjustable options. At block710, the process 700 pairs each identified option icon with theassociated current setting status of each adjustable option. At block712, the process 700 detects a menuing input. At block 714, the process700 displays, over full-screen content on a display, an overlay userinterface menu comprising only one option icon and the associatedcurrent setting status pair.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a process800 that provides an automated minimal and preferential option userinterface. The process 800 starts at 802. At block 804, the process 800detects, via the multiple media player device, a request to display aportion of a full-screen content overlay options menu of the multiplemedia player device, where the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu comprises less than all of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu. At block 806, the process 800 determines a mediatype of content media currently accessed via the multiple media playerdevice. At block 808, the process 800 determines a current settingstatus of an available adjustment of the multiple media player deviceassociated with the portion of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu based upon the determined media type of content media currentlyaccessed via the multiple media player device. At block 810, the process800 displays a first graphical menu pane of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu comprising the current setting status of theavailable adjustment over full-screen content on a display.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate a flow chart of an example of an implementationof process 900 for automated dynamic iconic setting indicators. FIG. 9Aillustrates initial processing within the process 900. The process 900starts at 902. At decision point 904, the process 900 makes adetermination as to whether a menu selection has been detected. Asdescribed above, a menu selection may be detected in association withdetection of user input from a remote control device or touchscreendisplay. That input may include detection of a dedicated key input or anarrow key input of the remote control device or detection of usercontact of the display surface of a touchscreen display.

In response to determining that a menu selection has been detected atdecision point 904, the process 900 determines a media type of thecontent currently being accessed at block 906. At block 908, the process900 determines available adjustable options based upon the determinedmedia type that is currently being accessed. At block 910, the process900 determines a setting status of the available options for the mediatype. At block 912, the process 900 identifies an option icon for eachadjustable option. At block 914, the process 900 selects or creates asetting status icon for each setting status. As described above, acurrent status for each adjustable option may be displayed as an icon.For adjustable options with a limited number of status options, iconsmay be stored and selected. Storage and selection of setting statusicons may also be utilized for implementations with sufficient memoryfor storage of setting status icons for adjustable options with a largenumber of status options. Alternatively, setting status icons may becreated dynamically in response to the determined setting status of anygiven adjustable option. For example, where a setting status isrepresented as a percentage, a setting status icon may be created basedupon the determined percentage.

At block 916, the process 900 pairs each identified option icon witheach associated setting status icon. At block 918, the process 900displays an overlay user interface menu with only the paired optionicons and setting status icons. It should be noted that, as describedabove, display of the overlay user interface menu may be progressive inresponse to user input. The progressive nature of the display of thepaired option icon and setting status icons is omitted from the process900 for ease of description. FIG. 10 described below further illustratesthe progressive display processing associated with the present subjectmatter. As such, for purposes of the description of the process 900, oneor more pairs of identified option icons and setting status icons may bedisplayed. Where more than one pair of option icons and setting statusicons are displayed, they may be displayed in a stacked relationship orotherwise as described above.

At block 920, the process 900 sets an input focus to a bottom icon pairwithin the displayed overlay user interface menu. At block 922, theprocess 900 identifies a control pane for the bottom icon pair. At block924, the process 900 displays the identified control pane to a side ofthe bottom icon pair. As described above, where the stacked overlay userinterface menu is displayed along a right side of a display device, thecontrol pane may be displayed to a left side of the bottom icon pair, oralternatively as appropriate for a given implementation.

At decision point 926, the process 900 makes a determination as towhether user input has been detected that indicates a request to scrollthe stacked pair option icons and setting status icons. As describedabove, user input indicative of a request to scroll the stacked iconpairs may include an UP arrow key input or a DOWN arrow key input for avertically-stacked overlay user interface menu. Alternatively, for atouchscreen implementation, detection of user contact in an area of adisplay surface relative to displayed portions of the overlay userinterface menu may be detected and processed to indicate a user requestto scroll the stacked icon pairs.

In response to determining that a user input indicating a request toscroll the vertically-stacked overlay user interface menu has beendetected, the process 900 vertically scroll the icon pair stack at block928. The process 900 returns to block 920 and iterates as describedabove.

Returning to the description of decision point 926, in response todetermining that user input indicating a request to scroll the stackedicon pairs has not been detected, the process 900 makes a determinationat decision point 930 as to whether a request to highlight the displayedcontrol pane has been detected. As described above, a request tohighlight the displayed control pane may be detected in association withdetection of a LEFT arrow key input or a touchscreen input in an areaassociated with the displayed control pane.

In response to determining that a request to highlight the displayedcontrol pane has been detected at decision point 930, the process 900transitions to the processing shown and described in association withFIG. 9B.

FIG. 9B illustrates additional processing associated with the process900 for automated dynamic iconic setting indicators. At block 932, theprocess 900 shifts input focus to the displayed control pane. Atdecision point 934, the process 900 makes a determination as to whetheran adjustment input has been detected. As described above, an adjustmentinput may include, for example, a LEFT arrow key input associated withrewinding rendered content or a touchscreen input to a left side of aplay point control element, such as the play point control element 362.Alternatively, an adjustment input may include, for example, a LEFTarrow key input followed by a SELECT key input or other input sequenceas appropriated for a given implementation. Accordingly, a variety ofuser inputs and user input sequences may be detected in association withthe determination at decision point 934 as to whether an adjustmentinput has been detected based upon the given adjustment optionassociated with the currently-displayed control pane.

In response to determining at decision point 934 that an adjustmentinput has been detected, the process 900 adjusts the selected settingbased upon the detected adjustment at block 936. At block 938, theprocess 900 determines an updated setting status for the option basedupon the adjustment. At block 940, the process 900 selects or creates asetting status icon for the updated setting status. At block 942, theprocess 900 updates the display of the current setting status with theselected or created setting status icon.

In response to determining at decision point 934 that an adjustmentinput has not been detected, or upon updating the display of the currentsetting status with the selected or created setting status icon at block942, the process 900 makes a determination at decision point 944 as towhether a request to un-highlight the displayed control pane has beendetected. For example, one or more RIGHT arrow key inputs may bedetected or a touchscreen input to a display area associated with thebottom icon pair, resulting in navigation within the displayed overlayuser interface menu back to the bottom icon pair. In response todetermining that a request to un-highlight the control pane has not beendetected, the process 900 returns to decision point 934 and iterates asdescribed above.

In response to determining that a request to un-highlight the controlpane has been detected at decision point 944, the process 900 shiftsfocus to the bottom icon pair at block 946. The process 900 transitionsback to the processing described within FIG. 9A.

At decision point 948, the process 900 makes a determination as towhether a request to exit the displayed menu has been detected. Arequest to exit the displayed menu has been detected for example, inresponse to detection of an EXIT key input from a remote control deviceor detection of a touchscreen input in an area of a display screensurface, such as a corner of the display screen surface diagonallyopposite a display corner of the bottom icon pair. Many otherpossibilities exist for detection of a request to exit the displayedmenu and all are considered within the scope of the present subjectmatter. In response to determining that a request to exit the displayedmenu has not been detected, the process 900 returns to decision point926 and iterates as described above. In response to determining that arequest to exit the displayed menu has been detected, the process 900clears the menu from the display at block 950. The process 900 returnsto decision point 904 to await detection of a new user input associatedwith menu selection.

Accordingly, the process 900 determines a media type currently accessedby a media player device and determines available adjustable optionsbased upon the media type. Option icons for each available adjustableoption are paired with associated setting status icons representingcurrent setting status of each adjustable option. The process 900iteratively processes adjustment inputs for the adjustable options andupdates the current setting status in real time.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a process1000 that provides an automated minimal and preferential option userinterface. The process 1000 starts at 1002. At block 1004, the process1000 makes a determination as to whether a partial menu request has beenreceived. As described above, a partial menu request may be a request todisplay a single option icon and current setting status icon pair. Whena determination is made a decision point 1004 that a partial menurequest has been detected, the process 1000 determines a media type ofthe content currently accessed at block 1006. At block 1008, the process1000 determines a current setting status of the available adjustableoption associated with the requested portion of the menu. The currentsetting status may be a default setting status, such as volume, or otherpreferential setting status as appropriate for a given implementation.

At block 1010, the process 1000 displays a graphical menu pane with thecurrent setting status and the associated option icon. As describedabove, the current setting status may be populated or a current settingstatus icon may be created or selected to represent the current settingstatus. At block 1012, the process 1000 displays a control pane with anadjustment control to a side of the graphical menu pane.

At decision point 1014, the process 1000 makes a determination as towhether an adjustment input has been detected. An adjustment input maybe detected in response to a variety of user inputs as described abovein association with other user inputs. In response to determining thatan adjustment input has been detected, the process 1000 adjusts thecurrent setting based upon the detected adjustment input at block 1016.At block 1018, the process 1000 determines an adjusted setting statusbased upon the adjustment. At block 1020, the process 1000 updates thecontrol pane and the graphical menu pane with the adjusted settingstatus.

In response to updating the control pane at block 1020 or in response todetermining that an adjustment input has not been detected at decisionpoint 1014, the process 1000 makes a determination at decision point1022 as to whether an additional options request has been detected.Detection of a request for additional options may include detection ofan UP arrow key or a DOWN arrow key detection, or a touchscreen inputassociated with a display screen area above the displayed graphical menupane. In response to determining that an additional options request hasbeen detected at decision point 1022, the process 1000 determines acurrent setting status of remaining options based upon thecurrently-accessed media type at block 1024. At block 1026, the process1000 displays additional graphical menu panes with remaining currentsetting statuses for each additional adjustable option.

In response to displaying the additional graphical menu panes at block1026, or in response to determining that an additional options requesthas not been detected at decision point 1022, the process 1000 makes adetermination at decision point 1028 as to whether a request to scrollthe displayed additional graphical menu panes has been detected. Arequest to scroll the displayed additional menu panes may include an UParrow key or a DOWN arrow key detection. This input to request scrollingof the displayed additional graphical menu panes may further be the sameas the input key detection for determining whether additional optionshave been requested. As such, a reduced number of input keys may beutilized to perform the respective operations. The request to scroll thedisplayed additional menu panes may include a touchscreen inputassociated with a display screen area above the displayed additionalmenu panes or associated with a displayed icon, such as the up arrowicon 310 or the down arrow icon 312.

In response to determining that a request to scroll the displayedadditional graphical menu panes has been detected at decision point1028, the process 1000 vertically scrolls the displayed graphical menupane at block 1030. The process 1000 returns to block 1010 to display anew graphical menu pane and block 1012 to display a new control paneassociated with a new bottom graphical menu pane within the verticalstack, and iterates as described above.

In response to determining at decision point 1028 that a request toscroll the displayed additional graphical menu panes has not beendetected, the process 1000 makes a determination at decision point 1032as to whether a request to exit the options menu has been detected. Inresponse to determining that a request to exit the displayed optionsmenu has not been detected, the process 1000 returns to decision point1014 and iterates as described above. In response to determining that arequest to exit the displayed options menu has been detected at decisionpoint 1032, the process 1000 clears the menu from the display at block1034, and returns to decision point 1004 to await a request for a newpartial menu display.

As such, the process 1000 initially displays a minimal portion of a userinterface. The minimal portion initially displayed may be preferentialwith respect to either a last option adjusted or a dedicated defaultadjustment option, such as volume, or another preferential option asappropriate for a given implementation. The process 1000 incrementallyprovides more available adjustment options in response to user requests.As such, the minimal and preferential option user interface allows auser to quickly navigate to preferential options or additional optionswithout use of extensive display area or user input processing.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an example of an implementation of a process1100 that provides automated preferential input sequence learning.Detailed descriptions of input variations are omitted from the presentexample for ease of description purposes. However, it is understood thata variety of input options are possible, as described above, and all areconsidered within the scope of the present subject matter. The process1100 starts at 1102. At decision point 1104, the process 1100 makes adetermination as to whether a remote control device input has beendetected. In response to determining that a remote control device inputhas been detected, the process 1100 determines a remote control devicetype from the input signaling that has been detected at block 1106. Atblock 1108, the process 1100 selects a remote control input command mapto control a full-screen content overlay options menu. At block 1110,the process 1100 assigns a remote control input command from theselected map as a default remote control input command for accessing thefull-screen content overlay options menu.

At decision point 1112, the process 1100 makes a determination as towhether an additional remote control device input has been detected. Inresponse to determining that an additional remote control device inputhas been detected, the process 1100 processes that input at block 1114.As described above, a remote control device input may include adedicated key or a general input key, such as an arrow key, or other keyas appropriate for a given implementation.

At decision point 1116, the process 1100 makes a determination as towhether a repeated sequence of key inputs associated with navigating tospecific adjustable options associated with the media type currentlyaccessed has been detected. It is understood that the process 1100 mayiterate for a number of times until a repeated sequence is detected atdecision point 1116. As such, in response to determining that a repeatedsequence has not been detected, the process 1100 makes a determinationat decision point 1118 as to whether input processing has beencompleted. In response to determining that input processing has not beencompleted, the process 1100 returns to decision point 1112 to detect anditeratively process additional remote control device inputs.

Returning to the description of decision point 1116, in response todetermining that a repeated sequence of a remote control device inputkey has been detected, the process 1100 assigns one of the repeatedinput keys as a default remote control navigation key associated withdisplaying a portion of the full-screen content overlay menu associatedwith a current adjustable option at block 1120. The process 1100 returnsto decision point 1118 and iterates as described above. In response todetermining at decision point 1118 that input processing has beencompleted, the process 1100 returns to decision point 1104 to await anew remote control device input. It is understood that the processingdescribed above associated with determining a remote control devicetype, selecting a remote control input command map, and assigning aremote control input command from the command map as a default input maybe performed during a first execution of the process 1100 and may beomitted from subsequent executions of the process 1100. This processingis described in association with the process 1100 for clarity withrespect to this particular aspect.

As such, the process 1100 initially assigns a remote control inputcommand from a selected remote control input command map associated withthe remote control device for accessing an options menu. The process1100 detects repeated sequences of input keys for navigation to specificavailable adjustable options and assigns a single key as a defaultremote control navigation key for navigating to the associatedadjustable option. Though not depicted within FIG. 11 for ease ofillustration purposes, a display output may also be provided thatinforms the user of the assigned input key for the respective adjustableoption.

Thus, in accord with certain implementations, a method of dynamicallypopulating a user interface in response to user inputs of a multiplemedia player device involves detecting, via a multiple media playerdevice, a request to display a portion of a full-screen content overlayoptions menu of the multiple media player device including one of aremote control device up arrow key input and a remote control devicedown arrow key input, where the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu includes less than all of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu; determining a media type of content mediacurrently accessed via the multiple media player device; determining acurrent setting status of a default available adjustment of the multiplemedia player device associated with the portion of the full-screencontent overlay options menu based upon the determined media type ofcontent media currently accessed via the multiple media player device;displaying a first graphical menu pane of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu including the current setting status of the defaultavailable adjustment over full-screen content on a display; displaying acontrol pane to a side of the first graphical menu pane including anadjustment control associated with the default available adjustment forthe multiple media player device; detecting an adjustment inputassociated with the adjustment control; adjusting the current settingstatus of the default available adjustment for the multiple media playerdevice based upon the adjustment input; determining an adjusted settingstatus of the default available adjustment for the multiple media playerdevice; and updating the control pane and the first graphical menu panewith the adjusted setting status of the default available adjustment forthe multiple media player device.

In another implementation, a computer readable storage medium may storeinstructions which, when executed on one or more programmed processors,carry out a process of detecting, via a multiple media player device, arequest to display a portion of a full-screen content overlay optionsmenu of the multiple media player device including one of a remotecontrol device up arrow key input and a remote control device down arrowkey input, where the portion of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu includes less than all of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu; determining a media type of content media currently accessed viathe multiple media player device; determining a current setting statusof a default available adjustment of the multiple media player deviceassociated with the portion of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu based upon the determined media type of content media currentlyaccessed via the multiple media player device; displaying a firstgraphical menu pane of the full-screen content overlay options menuincluding the current setting status of the default available adjustmentover full-screen content on a display; displaying a control pane to aside of the first graphical menu pane including an adjustment controlassociated with the default available adjustment for the multiple mediaplayer device; detecting an adjustment input associated with theadjustment control; adjusting the current setting status of the defaultavailable adjustment for the multiple media player device based upon theadjustment input; determining an adjusted setting status of the defaultavailable adjustment for the multiple media player device; and updatingthe control pane and the first graphical menu pane with the adjustedsetting status of the default available adjustment for the multiplemedia player device.

In another implementation, a method of dynamically populating a userinterface in response to user inputs of a multiple media player deviceinvolves detecting, via the multiple media player device, a request todisplay a portion of a full-screen content overlay options menu of themultiple media player device, where the portion of the full-screencontent overlay options menu includes less than all of the full-screencontent overlay options menu; determining a media type of content mediacurrently accessed via the multiple media player device; determining acurrent setting status of an available adjustment of the multiple mediaplayer device associated with the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu based upon the determined media type of contentmedia currently accessed via the multiple media player device; anddisplaying a first graphical menu pane of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu including the current setting status of theavailable adjustment over full-screen content on a display.

In certain implementations, the method of detecting, via the multiplemedia player device, the request to display the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu of the multiple media playerdevice involves detecting a remote control device key input associatedwith the available adjustment for the multiple media player device. Incertain implementations, the method of detecting the remote controldevice key input associated with the available adjustment for themultiple media player device involves detecting a designated remotecontrol device navigation key associated with the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu. In certain implementations,the method of detecting the remote control device key input associatedwith the available adjustment for the multiple media player deviceinvolves detecting one of a remote control device up arrow key input anda remote control device down arrow key input; and the method ofdetermining the current setting status of the available adjustment ofthe multiple media player device associated with the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu based upon the media type ofcontent media currently accessed via the multiple media player deviceinvolves determining a current setting status of a default availableadjustment for the multiple media player device. In certainimplementations, the method further involves displaying a control paneto a side of the first graphical menu pane including an adjustmentcontrol associated with the available adjustment for the multiple mediaplayer device. In certain implementations, the method further involvesdetecting an adjustment input associated with the adjustment control;adjusting the current setting status of the available adjustment for themultiple media player device based upon the adjustment input;determining an adjusted setting status of the available adjustment forthe multiple media player device; and updating the control pane and thefirst graphical menu pane with the adjusted setting status of theavailable adjustment for the multiple media player device. In certainimplementations, the full-screen content overlay options menu includes avertically wrapping full-screen content overlay options menu and themethod further involves detecting a request to display an additionalportion of the vertically wrapping full-screen content overlay optionsmenu of the multiple media player device; determining a second currentsetting status of a second available adjustment of the multiple mediaplayer device associated with the additional portion of the verticallywrapping full-screen content overlay options menu based upon the mediatype of content media currently accessed via the multiple media playerdevice; and displaying a second graphical menu pane including the secondcurrent setting status of the second available adjustment over thefull-screen content on the display. In certain implementations, themethod of displaying a second graphical menu pane including the secondcurrent setting status of the second available adjustment over thefull-screen content on the display involves displaying the secondgraphical menu pane including the second current setting status of thesecond available adjustment vertically relative to the first graphicalmenu pane. In certain implementations, the method further involvesdetecting one of a remote control device up arrow key input and a remotecontrol device down arrow key input from a remote control device;terminating display of the first graphical menu pane from a displaylocation of the first graphical menu pane within the vertically wrappingfull-screen content overlay options menu; displaying the secondgraphical menu pane including the second current setting status of thesecond available adjustment at the display location of the firstgraphical menu pane; and re-displaying the first graphical menu pane asa top graphical menu pane of the vertically wrapping full-screen contentoverlay options menu. In certain implementations, the method furtherinvolves detecting a remote control device key input associated with theavailable adjustment for the multiple media player device; determiningthat the detected remote control device key input is associated with adifferent available adjustment for the multiple media player device;determining a current setting status of the different availableadjustment of the multiple media player device; determining a displaylocation of the first graphical menu pane; terminating the display ofthe first graphical menu pane; and displaying a second graphical menupane including the current setting status of the different availableadjustment over the full-screen content on the display in the displaylocation of the first graphical menu pane. In certain implementations,the associated available adjustment includes a content rewindadjustment, and the method of detecting, via the multiple media playerdevice, the request to display the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu of the multiple media player device involvesdetecting a remote control device left arrow key input; the method ofdisplaying the first graphical menu pane of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu including the current setting status of theavailable adjustment over the full-screen content on the displayinvolves displaying the first graphical menu pane in response todetecting the remote control device left arrow key input; and the methodfurther involves beginning to rewind the content rendered on thedisplay. In certain implementations, the method further involvesdisplaying a control pane to a side of the second graphical menu paneincluding a content position adjustment control associated with thecontent rewind adjustment including a current content rendering locationof content rendered on the display; determining whether continuedactuations of the remote control device left arrow key input aredetected; and iteratively adjusting the content position adjustmentcontrol to new content rendering locations of the content rendered onthe display in response to each determined continued actuation of theremote control device left arrow key input. In certain implementations,the method further involves detecting a remote control device rightarrow key input associated with a content fast forward adjustment forthe multiple media player device; beginning to fast forward the contentrendered on the display; determining whether continued actuations of theremote control device right arrow key input are detected; anditeratively adjusting the content position adjustment control to newcontent rendering locations of the content rendered on the display inresponse to each determined continued actuation of the remote controldevice right arrow key input. In certain implementations, the method ofdisplaying the first graphical menu pane of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu including the current setting status of theavailable adjustment over the full-screen content on the displayinvolves displaying the first graphical menu pane including the currentsetting status of the available adjustment over the full-screen contentproximate to a lower corner of the display. In certain implementations,the method of displaying the first graphical menu pane including thecurrent setting status of the available adjustment over the full-screencontent proximate to the lower corner of the display involves displayingthe first graphical menu pane including the current setting status ofthe available adjustment over the full-screen content proximate to aright lower corner of the display. In certain implementations, thedisplay includes a touchscreen display and the method of detecting, viathe multiple media player device, the request to display the portion ofthe full-screen content overlay options menu of the multiple mediaplayer device involves detecting a first touchscreen input proximate toa default display location of the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu on the touchscreen display. In certainimplementations, the method further involves detecting a secondtouchscreen input proximate to the default display location of theportion of the full-screen content overlay options menu; and displayinga control pane to a side of the first graphical menu pane including anadjustment control associated with the available adjustment for themultiple media player device. In certain implementations, the methodfurther involves detecting one of a sliding touchscreen input and arotating touchscreen input proximate to a display location of theadjustment control; adjusting the current setting status of theavailable adjustment for the multiple media player device based upon amagnitude and a direction of the one of the sliding touchscreen inputand the rotating touchscreen input; determining an adjusted settingstatus of the available adjustment for the multiple media player device;and updating the control pane and the first graphical menu pane with theadjusted setting status of the available adjustment for the multiplemedia player device. In certain implementations, the method furtherinvolves detecting a second touchscreen input associated with a firstdisplay location above a display location of the first graphical menupane; and displaying a plurality of graphical menu panes, eachassociated with one additional available adjustment of the multiplemedia player device associated with the full-screen content overlayoptions menu based upon the determined media type, above the firstgraphical menu pane. In certain implementations, the method furtherinvolves detecting a third touchscreen input associated with a seconddisplay location above the display location of the first graphical menupane; scrolling the displayed plurality of graphical menu panes by anumber of the graphical menu panes based upon a magnitude of distancebetween the second display location above the display location of thefirst graphical menu pane and the display location of the firstgraphical menu pane and relative to a size of each of the plurality ofgraphical menu panes; displaying a different one of the plurality ofgraphical menu panes at the display location of the first graphical menupane; displaying a control pane to a side of the different one of theplurality of graphical menu panes including an adjustment controlassociated with the available adjustment for the multiple media playerdevice associated with the different one of the plurality of graphicalmenu panes; and re-displaying the first graphical menu pane at a newlocation based upon the scrolled display of the plurality of graphicalmenu panes. In certain implementations, the media type of the contentmedia currently accessed via the multiple media player device includes atype of media selected from a group consisting of: audio media, audioand video media, and still image media. In certain implementations, themethod further involves determining a remote control device type basedupon input signaling received from a remote control device; andselecting a remote control input command map to control the full-screencontent overlay options menu based upon the determined remote controldevice type. In certain implementations, the method further involvesassigning one remote control input command from the remote control inputcommand map as a default remote control input command for accessing theportion of the full-screen content overlay options menu of the multiplemedia player device. In certain implementations, the method furtherinvolves detecting repeated use of at least one general remote controldevice navigation key associated with a plurality of requests to displaythe portion of the full-screen content overlay options menu of themultiple media player device; and assigning one of the at least onegeneral remote control device navigation keys as a default remotecontrol device navigation key associated with displaying the portion ofthe full-screen content overlay options menu. In certainimplementations, the method of displaying the first graphical menu paneof the full-screen content overlay options menu including the currentsetting status of the available adjustment over the full-screen contenton the display involves displaying the first graphical menu paneincluding a current setting status icon associated with the availableadjustment with an option icon that represents the available adjustmentover the full-screen content on the display.

In another implementation, a computer readable storage medium may storeinstructions which, when executed on one or more programmed processors,carry out a process of detecting, via the multiple media player device,a request to display a portion of a full-screen content overlay optionsmenu of the multiple media player device, where the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu includes less than all of thefull-screen content overlay options menu; determining a media type ofcontent media currently accessed via the multiple media player device;determining a current setting status of an available adjustment of themultiple media player device associated with the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu based upon the determined mediatype of content media currently accessed via the multiple media playerdevice; and displaying a first graphical menu pane of the full-screencontent overlay options menu including the current setting status of theavailable adjustment over full-screen content on a display.

A multiple media player device, consistent with another implementation,has a display; an input device; and a processor programmed to detect,via the input device, a request to display a portion of a full-screencontent overlay options menu including one of a remote control device uparrow key input and a remote control device down arrow key input, wherethe portion of the full-screen content overlay options menu includesless than all of the full-screen content overlay options menu; determinea media type of content media currently accessed via the multiple mediaplayer device; determine a current setting status of a default availableadjustment associated with the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu based upon the determined media type of contentmedia currently accessed; display a first graphical menu pane of thefull-screen content overlay options menu including the current settingstatus of the default available adjustment over full-screen content onthe display; display a control pane to a side of the first graphicalmenu pane including an adjustment control associated with the defaultavailable adjustment; detect an adjustment input via the input deviceassociated with the adjustment control; adjust the current settingstatus of the default available adjustment based upon the adjustmentinput; determine an adjusted setting status of the default availableadjustment; and update the control pane and the first graphical menupane with the adjusted setting status of the default availableadjustment.

A multiple media player device, consistent with another implementation,has a display; an input device; and a processor programmed to detect,via the input device, a request to display a portion of a full-screencontent overlay options menu, where the portion of the full-screencontent overlay options menu includes less than all of the full-screencontent overlay options menu; determine a media type of content mediacurrently accessed via the multiple media player device; determine acurrent setting status of an available adjustment associated with theportion of the full-screen content overlay options menu based upon thedetermined media type of content media currently accessed; and display afirst graphical menu pane of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu including the current setting status of the available adjustmentover full-screen content on the display.

In certain implementations, in being programmed to detect, via the inputdevice, the request to display the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu, the processor is programmed to detect a remotecontrol device key input associated with the available adjustment viathe input device. In certain implementations, in being programmed todetect the remote control device key input associated with the availableadjustment via the input device, the processor is programmed to detect adesignated remote control device navigation key associated with theportion of the full-screen content overlay options menu. In certainimplementations, in being programmed to detect the remote control devicekey input associated with the available adjustment via the input device,the processor is programmed to detect one of a remote control device uparrow key input and a remote control device down arrow key input; anddetermine the current setting status of the available adjustmentassociated with the portion of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu based upon the media type of content media currently accessed, theprocessor is programmed to determine a current setting status of adefault available adjustment. In certain implementations, the processoris further programmed to display a control pane to a side of the firstgraphical menu pane including an adjustment control associated with theavailable adjustment. In certain implementations, the processor isfurther programmed to detect an adjustment input via the input deviceassociated with the adjustment control; adjust the current settingstatus of the available adjustment based upon the adjustment input;determine an adjusted setting status of the available adjustment; andupdate the control pane and the first graphical menu pane with theadjusted setting status of the available adjustment. In certainimplementations, the full-screen content overlay options menu includes avertically wrapping full-screen content overlay options menu and wherethe processor is further programmed to detect, via the input device, arequest to display an additional portion of the vertically wrappingfull-screen content overlay options menu; determine a second currentsetting status of a second available adjustment associated with theadditional portion of the vertically wrapping full-screen contentoverlay options menu based upon the media type of content mediacurrently accessed; and display a second graphical menu pane includingthe second current setting status of the second available adjustmentover the full-screen content on the display. In certain implementations,in being programmed to display a second graphical menu pane includingthe second current setting status of the second available adjustmentover the full-screen content on the display, the processor is programmedto display the second graphical menu pane including the second currentsetting status of the second available adjustment vertically relative tothe first graphical menu pane. In certain implementations, the processoris further programmed to detect, via the input device, one of a remotecontrol device up arrow key input and a remote control device down arrowkey input from a remote control device; terminate display of the firstgraphical menu pane from a display location of the first graphical menupane within the vertically wrapping full-screen content overlay optionsmenu; display the second graphical menu pane including the secondcurrent setting status of the second available adjustment at the displaylocation of the first graphical menu pane; and re-display the firstgraphical menu pane as a top graphical menu pane of the verticallywrapping full-screen content overlay options menu. In certainimplementations, the processor is further programmed to detect, via theinput device, a remote control device key input associated with theavailable adjustment; determine that the detected remote control devicekey input is associated with a different available adjustment; determinea current setting status of the different available adjustment;determine a display location of the first graphical menu pane; terminatethe display of the first graphical menu pane; and display a secondgraphical menu pane including the current setting status of thedifferent available adjustment over the full-screen content on thedisplay in the display location of the first graphical menu pane. Incertain implementations, the associated available adjustment includes acontent rewind adjustment, and, in being programmed to detect, via theinput device, the request to display the portion of the full-screencontent overlay options menu, the processor is programmed to detect aremote control device left arrow key input; in being programmed todisplay the first graphical menu pane of the full-screen content overlayoptions menu including the current setting status of the availableadjustment over the full-screen content on the display, the processor isprogrammed to display the first graphical menu pane in response todetecting the remote control device left arrow key input; and theprocessor is further programmed to begin to rewind the content renderedon the display. In certain implementations, the processor is furtherprogrammed to display a control pane to a side of the second graphicalmenu pane including a content position adjustment control associatedwith the content rewind adjustment including a current content renderinglocation of content rendered on the display; determine whether continuedactuations of the remote control device left arrow key input aredetected; and iteratively adjust the content position adjustment controlto new content rendering locations of the content rendered on thedisplay in response to each determined continued actuation of the remotecontrol device left arrow key input. In certain implementations, theprocessor is further programmed to detect, via the input device, aremote control device right arrow key input associated with a contentfast forward adjustment; begin to fast forward the content rendered onthe display; determine whether continued actuations of the remotecontrol device right arrow key input are detected; and iterativelyadjust the content position adjustment control to new content renderinglocations of the content rendered on the display in response to eachdetermined continued actuation of the remote control device right arrowkey input. In certain implementations, in being programmed to displaythe first graphical menu pane of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu including the current setting status of the available adjustmentover the full-screen content on the display, the processor is programmedto display the first graphical menu pane including the current settingstatus of the available adjustment over the full-screen contentproximate to a lower corner of the display. In certain implementations,in being programmed to display the first graphical menu pane includingthe current setting status of the available adjustment over thefull-screen content proximate to the lower corner of the display, theprocessor is programmed to display the first graphical menu paneincluding the current setting status of the available adjustment overthe full-screen content proximate to a right lower corner of thedisplay. In certain implementations, the display includes a touchscreendisplay and, in being programmed to detect, via the input device, therequest to display the portion of the full-screen content overlayoptions menu, the processor is programmed to detect a first touchscreeninput proximate to a default display location of the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu on the touchscreen display. Incertain implementations, the processor is further programmed to detect asecond touchscreen input proximate to the default display location ofthe portion of the full-screen content overlay options menu; and displaya control pane to a side of the first graphical menu pane including anadjustment control associated with the available adjustment. In certainimplementations, the processor is further programmed to detect, via theinput device, one of a sliding touchscreen input and a rotatingtouchscreen input proximate to a display location of the adjustmentcontrol; adjust the current setting status of the available adjustmentbased upon a magnitude and a direction of the one of the slidingtouchscreen input and the rotating touchscreen input; determine anadjusted setting status of the available adjustment; and update thecontrol pane and the first graphical menu pane with the adjusted settingstatus of the available adjustment. In certain implementations, theprocessor is further programmed to detect, via the input device, asecond touchscreen input associated with a first display location abovea display location of the first graphical menu pane; and display aplurality of graphical menu panes, each associated with one additionalavailable adjustment associated with the full-screen content overlayoptions menu based upon the determined media type, above the firstgraphical menu pane. In certain implementations, the processor isfurther programmed to detect, via the input device, a third touchscreeninput associated with a second display location above the displaylocation of the first graphical menu pane; scroll the displayedplurality of graphical menu panes by a number of the graphical menupanes based upon a magnitude of distance between the second displaylocation above the display location of the first graphical menu pane andthe display location of the first graphical menu pane and relative to asize of each of the plurality of graphical menu panes; display adifferent one of the plurality of graphical menu panes at the displaylocation of the first graphical menu pane; display a control pane to aside of the different one of the plurality of graphical menu panesincluding an adjustment control associated with the available adjustmentassociated with the different one of the plurality of graphical menupanes; and re-display the first graphical menu pane at a new locationbased upon the scrolled display of the plurality of graphical menupanes. In certain implementations, the media type of the content mediacurrently accessed includes a type of media selected from a groupconsisting of: audio media, audio and video media, and still imagemedia. In certain implementations, the processor is further programmedto determine a remote control device type based upon input signalingreceived from a remote control device; and select a remote control inputcommand map to control the full-screen content overlay options menubased upon the determined remote control device type. In certainimplementations, the processor is further programmed to assign oneremote control input command from the remote control input command mapas a default remote control input command for accessing the portion ofthe full-screen content overlay options menu. In certainimplementations, the processor is further programmed to detect repeateduse of at least one general remote control device navigation keyassociated with a plurality of requests to display the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu; and assign one of the at leastone general remote control device navigation keys as a default remotecontrol device navigation key associated with displaying the portion ofthe full-screen content overlay options menu. In certainimplementations, in being programmed to display the first graphical menupane of the full-screen content overlay options menu including thecurrent setting status of the available adjustment over the full-screencontent on the display, the processor is programmed to display the firstgraphical menu pane including a current setting status icon associatedwith the available adjustment with an option icon that represents theavailable adjustment over the full-screen content on the display.

While certain embodiments herein were described in conjunction withspecific circuitry that carries out the functions described, otherembodiments are contemplated in which the circuit functions are carriedout using equivalent elements executed on one or more programmedprocessors. General purpose computers, microprocessor based computers,micro-controllers, optical computers, analog computers, dedicatedprocessors, application specific circuits and/or dedicated hard wiredlogic and analog circuitry may be used to construct alternativeequivalent embodiments. Other embodiments could be implemented usinghardware component equivalents such as special purpose hardware,dedicated processors or combinations thereof.

Certain embodiments may be implemented using one or more programmedprocessors executing programming instructions that in certain instancesare broadly described above in flow chart form that can be stored on anysuitable electronic or computer readable storage medium (such as, forexample, disc storage, Read Only Memory (ROM) devices, Random AccessMemory (RAM) devices, network memory devices, optical storage elements,magnetic storage elements, magneto-optical storage elements, flashmemory, core memory and/or other equivalent volatile and non-volatilestorage technologies). However, those skilled in the art willappreciate, upon consideration of the present teaching, that theprocesses described above can be implemented in any number of variationsand in many suitable programming languages without departing fromembodiments of the present invention. For example, the order of certainoperations carried out can often be varied, additional operations can beadded or operations can be deleted without departing from certainembodiments of the invention. Error trapping can be added and/orenhanced and variations can be made in user interface and informationpresentation without departing from certain embodiments of the presentinvention. Such variations are contemplated and considered equivalent.

While certain illustrative embodiments have been described, it isevident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations andvariations will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light ofthe foregoing description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multiple media player device, comprising: aninput device; and one or more processors programmed to: detect, via theinput device, a request to display a portion of a full-screen contentoverlay options menu, where the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu comprises less than all of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu; determine which media type of a plurality of mediatypes of content media is currently being accessed via the multiplemedia player device; determine a current setting status of each of aplurality of available adjustment options associated with the portion ofthe full-screen content overlay options menu based upon the determinedmedia type of content media currently accessed; pair each of theplurality of current setting status with an option icon representing oneof the plurality of available adjustment options; send a first outputsignal to generate a first graphical menu pane of the full-screencontent overlay options menu comprising current setting status of adefault available adjustment option over full-screen video content alongwith an option icon representing the default available adjustmentoption; the output signal further generating a control pane to a side ofthe first graphical menu pane comprising an adjustment controlassociated with the default available adjustment option for the multiplemedia player device; detect an adjustment input associated with theadjustment control; adjust the current setting status of the defaultavailable adjustment option for the multiple media player device basedupon the adjustment input; determine an adjusted current setting statusof the default available adjustment option for the multiple media playerdevice; update the control pane and the first graphical menu pane withthe adjusted current setting status of the default available adjustmentoption for the multiple media player device; detect a request to displayan additional portion of the full-screen content overlay options menu ofthe multiple media player device; determine a second current settingstatus of a second available adjustment option of the multiple mediaplayer device associated with the additional portion of the full-screencontent overlay options menu based upon the media type of content mediacurrently accessed via the multiple media player device; and send asecond output signal to generate a second graphical menu pane comprisingthe second current setting status of the second available adjustmentoption over the full-screen content; wherein the second graphical menupane comprising the second current setting status of the secondavailable adjustment option along with an option icon representing thesecond available adjustment option over the full-screen video contentcomprises the second graphical menu pane comprising the second currentsetting status of the second available adjustment option verticallyrelative to the first graphical menu pane.
 2. The multiple media playerdevice according to claim 1, where in being programmed to detect, viathe input device, the request to display the portion of the full-screencontent overlay options menu, the processor is further programmed to:detect a remote control device key input associated with the availableadjustment options via the input device.
 3. The multiple media playerdevice according to claim 2, wherein being programmed to detect theremote control device key input associated with the available adjustmentoptions via the input device, the processor is further programmed todetect a designated remote control device navigation key associated withthe portion of the full-screen content overlay options menu.
 4. Themultiple media player device according to claim 2, wherein beingprogrammed to: detect the remote control device key input associatedwith the available adjustment options via the input device, theprocessor is programmed to detect one of a remote control device uparrow key input and a remote control device down arrow key input; anddetermine the current setting status of the available adjustment optionsassociated with the portion of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu based upon the media type of content media currently accessed, theprocessor is further programmed to determine the current setting statusof the default available adjustment option.
 5. The multiple media playerdevice according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmedto: generate a signal to place the control pane to a side of the firstgraphical menu pane comprising the adjustment control associated withthe default available adjustment option.
 6. The multiple media playerdevice according to claim 5, wherein the processor is further programmedto: detect the adjustment input via the input device associated with theadjustment control.
 7. The multiple media player device according toclaim 1, wherein the processor is further programmed to: detect, via theinput device, one of a remote control device up arrow key input and aremote control device down arrow key input from a remote control device;terminate the first output signal of the first graphical menu pane froma location of the first graphical menu pane within the full-screencontent overlay options menu; send a signal to generate the secondgraphical menu pane comprising the second current setting status of thesecond available adjustment option at the location of the firstgraphical menu pane; and re-generate the first graphical menu pane as atop graphical menu pane of the full-screen content overlay options menu,which is vertically wrappable.
 8. The multiple media player deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmed to:detect, via the input device, a remote control device key inputassociated with the default available adjustment option; determine thatthe detected remote control device key input is associated with adifferent available adjustment option; determine a current settingstatus of the different available adjustment option; determine alocation of the first graphical menu pane; terminate the first graphicalmenu pane; and send a signal to generate a second graphical menu panecomprising the current setting status of the different availableadjustment option over the full-screen content in the location of thefirst graphical menu pane.
 9. The multiple media player device accordingto claim 1, wherein the associated available adjustment controlcomprises a content rewind adjustment, and wherein being programmed to:detect, via the input device, the request to display the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu, the processor is programmed todetect a remote control device left arrow key input; send the outputsignal containing the first graphical menu pane of the full-screencontent overlay options menu comprising the current setting status ofthe available adjustment over the full-screen content, the processor isprogrammed to output the first graphical menu pane in response todetecting the remote control device left arrow key input; and theprocessor is further programmed to begin to rewind the content.
 10. Themultiple media player device according to claim 1, wherein the processoris further programmed to: generate a control pane to a side of thesecond graphical menu pane comprising a content position adjustmentcontrol associated with the content rewind adjustment comprising acurrent content rendering location of content; determine whethercontinued actuations of a remote control device left arrow key input aredetected; and iteratively adjust the content position adjustment controlto new content rendering locations of the content in response to eachdetermined continued actuation of the remote control device left arrowkey input.
 11. The multiple media player device according to claim 10,wherein the processor is further programmed to: detect, via the inputdevice, a remote control device right arrow key input associated with acontent fast forward adjustment; begin to fast forward the content;determine whether continued actuations of the remote control deviceright arrow key input are detected; and iteratively adjust the contentposition adjustment control to new content rendering locations of thecontent in response to each determined continued actuation of the remotecontrol device right arrow key input.
 12. The multiple media playerdevice according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further programmedto send the first graphical menu pane comprising the current settingstatus of the default available adjustment option over the full-screencontent proximate to a lower corner.
 13. The multiple media playerdevice according to claim 12, wherein the processor is furtherprogrammed to send the first graphical menu pane comprising the currentsetting status of the default available adjustment option over thefull-screen content proximate to a right lower corner.
 14. The multiplemedia player device according to claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther programmed to detect a first touchscreen input proximate to adefault location of the portion of the full-screen content overlayoptions menu.
 15. The multiple media player device according to claim14, wherein the processor is further programmed to: detect a secondtouchscreen input proximate to the default location of the portion ofthe full-screen content overlay options menu; and generate a controlpane to a side of the first graphical menu pane comprising theadjustment control associated with the default available adjustmentoption.
 16. The multiple media player device according to claim 15,wherein the processor is further programmed to: detect, via the inputdevice, one of a sliding touchscreen input and a rotating touchscreeninput proximate to a location of the adjustment control; adjust thecurrent setting status of the default available adjustment option basedupon a magnitude and a direction of the one of the sliding touchscreeninput and the rotating touchscreen input; determine an adjusted settingstatus of the default available adjustment option; and update thecontrol pane and the first graphical menu pane with the adjusted settingstatus of the default available adjustment option.
 17. The multiplemedia player device according to claim 14, wherein the processor isfurther programmed to: detect, via the input device, a secondtouchscreen input associated with a first location above a location ofthe first graphical menu pane; and generate a plurality of graphicalmenu panes, each associated with one additional available adjustmentoption associated with the full-screen content overlay options menubased upon the determined media type, above the first graphical menupane.
 18. The multiple media player device according to claim 17,wherein the processor is further programmed to: detect, via the inputdevice, a third touchscreen input associated with a second locationabove the location of the first graphical menu pane; scroll theplurality of graphical menu panes by a number of the graphical menupanes based upon a magnitude of distance between the second locationabove the location of the first graphical menu pane and the location ofthe first graphical menu pane and relative to a size of each of theplurality of graphical menu panes; output a different one of theplurality of graphical menu panes at the location of the first graphicalmenu pane; generate a control pane to a side of the different one of theplurality of graphical menu panes comprising an adjustment controlassociated with available adjustment options associated with thedifferent one of the plurality of graphical menu panes; and re-generatethe first graphical menu pane at a new location.
 19. The multiple mediaplayer device according to claim 1, where the media type of the contentmedia currently accessed comprises a type of media selected from a groupconsisting of: audio media, audio and video media, and still imagemedia.
 20. The multiple media player device according to claim 1, wherethe processor is further programmed to: determine a remote controldevice type based upon input signaling received from a remote controldevice; and select a remote control input command map to control thefull-screen content overlay options menu based upon the determinedremote control device type.
 21. The multiple media player deviceaccording to claim 20, where the processor is further programmed to:assign one remote control input command from the remote control inputcommand map as a default remote control input command for accessing theportion of the full-screen content overlay options menu.
 22. Themultiple media player device according to claim 1, wherein the processoris further programmed to: detect repeated use of at least one generalremote control device navigation key associated with a plurality ofrequests to display the portion of the full-screen content overlayoptions menu; and assign one of the at least one general remote controldevice navigation key as a default remote control device navigation keyassociated with the portion of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu.
 23. The multiple media player device according to claim 1, whereinthe processor is further programmed to output the first graphical menupane comprising a current setting status icon associated with thedefault available adjustment option with an option icon that representsthe default available adjustment option over the full-screen content.24. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storinginstructions which, when executed on one or more programmed processors,carry out a method comprising: detecting, via a multiple media playerdevice, a request to display a portion of a full-screen content overlayoptions menu of the multiple media player device comprising one of aremote control device up arrow key input and a remote control devicedown arrow key input, where the portion of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu comprises less than all of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu; determining which media type of a plurality ofmedia types of content media is currently being accessed via themultiple media player device; determining a current setting status ofeach of a plurality of available adjustment options of the multiplemedia player device associated with the portion of the full-screencontent overlay options menu based upon the determined media type ofcontent media currently accessed via the multiple media player device;pairing each of the plurality of current setting status with an optionicon representing one of the plurality of available adjustment options;generating a first graphical menu pane of the full-screen contentoverlay options menu comprising current setting status of a defaultavailable adjustment option over full-screen video content along with anoption icon representing the default available adjustment option;generating a control pane to a side of the first graphical menu panecomprising an adjustment control associated with the default availableadjustment option for the multiple media player device; detecting anadjustment input associated with the adjustment control; adjusting thecurrent setting status of the default available adjustment option forthe multiple media player device based upon the adjustment input;determining an adjusted current setting status of the default availableadjustment option for the multiple media player device; updating thecontrol pane and the first graphical menu pane with the adjusted currentsetting status of the default available adjustment option for themultiple media player device; and wherein a second graphical menu panecomprising the second current setting status of a second availableadjustment option along with an option icon representing the secondavailable adjustment option over a full-screen video content comprisesthe second graphical menu pane comprising the second current settingstatus of the second available adjustment option vertically relative tothe first graphical menu pane.
 25. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 24, where detecting, via the multiplemedia player device, the request to display the portion of thefull-screen content overlay options menu of the multiple media playerdevice comprises: detecting a remote control device key input associatedwith the available adjustment options for the multiple media playerdevice.
 26. The non-transitory computer readable storage mediumaccording to claim 25, where detecting the remote control device keyinput associated with the available adjustment options for the multiplemedia player device comprises detecting a designated remote controldevice navigation key associated with the portion of the full-screencontent overlay options menu.
 27. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium according to claim 25, wherein: detecting the remotecontrol device key input associated with the available adjustmentoptions for the multiple media player device comprises detecting one ofa remote control device up arrow key input and a remote control devicedown arrow key input; and determining the current setting status of theavailable adjustment options of the multiple media player deviceassociated with the portion of the full-screen content overlay optionsmenu based upon the media type of content media currently accessed viathe multiple media player device comprises determining a current settingstatus of the default available adjustment option for the multiple mediaplayer device.